Steve Stern, Assembly 10th District

STEVE STERN

Democratic

BACKGROUND: Steve Stern, 50, of Dix Hills, is making his first bid for a full-term Assembly seat. He is running on the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Women's Equality party lines. He won a special election in April to replace outgoing Assemb. Chad Lupinacci, who won election as Huntington Town supervisor. Stern previously served six terms as a Suffolk County legislator, where his legislative efforts included  starting a Silver Alert system to assist in the safe return of those with cognitive disorders. He was term-limited from running again for the county legislature. Stern also ran for Congress in 2016 in a Democratic primary, but lost to Thomas Suozzi, who won the general election. Stern earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Tulane University and received his law degree from Western Michigan University TMC Law School. A lawyer, he also served as an adjunct professor of law at Touro School of Law. He is married and has two children.

ISSUES: Taxes and the high cost of living continue to be concerns, Stern said, along with maintaining the quality of area drinking water and the integrity of the Long Island Sound. He worked with fellow Assemb. Steve Englebright to get state resources to localities to implement or upgrade clean water infrastructure, and to supplement county programs that make it more affordable for homeowners to make septic repairs. He also will seek more money for expanding sewer infrastructure to protect the water supply. “It’s important to preserve the integrity of groundwater and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Act will help municipalities. It’s gratifying to have the opportunity to work on issues greater than the local issues I took leadership on at the county level,” Stern said. He supports Red Flag Gun Protection legislation, which he called a proactive way to keep guns out of the hands of those who might harm themselves or others. “It’s a common sense measure that the majority of the community supports,” Stern said.